DEKALB — Northern Illinois University inaugurated Doug Baker as its new president during a 90-minute ceremony at the Holmes Student Center of its DeKalb campus Wednesday afternoon.

Baker said he is honored to be “entrusted with the responsibility to lead this institution.” He said the most important thing he wants to accomplish is student career success.

Baker said a university focused on student career success “provides students with a deep and meaningful body of knowledge to help them succeed in their careers and in life.”

Baker took over for former NIU President John Peters this summer. Peters had been president for more than a decade.

Baker is a former provost and executive vice president at the University of Idaho.

Since arriving at Northern Illinois this summer, Baker has made several administrative changes, including splitting up the beleaguered Division of Finance and Facilities.

The division faced troubles last year, when Associate Vice President Robert Albanese and convocation center Director John Gordon resigned amid misconduct allegations.

Albanese was one of three people who later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in connection with the “Coffee Fund,” which contained money from the sale of university-owned scrap metal and other materials.

Baker has also created a new international affairs division and hired both a new athletic director and police chief. He called the international affairs division a critical component for both the university and its students.

Senior school administrators have visited China for discussions with two new partnering institutions, Baker said. “In December, 23 leaders from those Chinese universities will join us to further explore our partnership.”

Baker said more changes, large and small, will be forthcoming.

“I can’t do this alone,” Baker said. “Who will make the changes? You: the faculty, staff, students and alumni, as well as our local community.”

After the ceremony, state Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, called Baker’s ascendancy an exciting time for NIU. He said Baker has “some bold ideas,” which he says are what people are looking for.